Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yes we have a number of schemes. There is the basic payment and then there are social transfers that also kick in depending on family size and depending on the situation. A number of different variables are taken into account when determining the default payment a family receives from social welfare. These variables are reviewed every year when I look at them.

There are other things I have changed quite a lot in the last few years, such as the roll-out of the hot school meals programme, which has proved to be very successful. This is helping to keep money in people's pockets because parents do not have to incur that expense of having to purchase and prepare the food for their children's lunch at primary school. The hot school meals programme has made a difference.

We looked at the over-70s fuel allowance and I expanded that, which was a big change. We put in place higher income limits so more older people would qualify. A couple can have an income of €1,024 per week and €50,000 in savings and still get the fuel allowance. We expanded those things.

There was also the extension of child benefit to 18-year-olds in full-time education. This was another very popular measure I brought in from the beginning of May to help families into the future because children are starting school older.

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